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King PH. Skeletal muscle as a molecular and cellular biomarker of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a narrative review. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:747-753. [PMID: 37843208 PMCID: PMC10664124 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal multisystemic neurodegenerative disease with motor neurons being a primary target. Although progressive weakness is a hallmark feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there is considerable heterogeneity, including clinical presentation, progression, and the underlying triggers for disease initiation. Based on longitudinal studies with families harboring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated gene mutations, it has become apparent that overt disease is preceded by a prodromal phase, possibly in years, where compensatory mechanisms delay symptom onset. Since 85-90% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is sporadic, there is a strong need for identifying biomarkers that can detect this prodromal phase as motor neurons have limited capacity for regeneration. Current Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies work by slowing the degenerative process and are most effective early in the disease. Skeletal muscle, including the neuromuscular junction, manifests abnormalities at the earliest stages of the disease, before motor neuron loss, making it a promising source for identifying biomarkers of the prodromal phase. The accessibility of muscle through biopsy provides a lens into the distal motor system at earlier stages and in real time. The advent of "omics" technology has led to the identification of numerous dysregulated molecules in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis muscle, ranging from coding and non-coding RNAs to proteins and metabolites. This technology has opened the door for identifying biomarkers of disease activity and providing insight into disease mechanisms. A major challenge is correlating the myriad of dysregulated molecules with clinical or histological progression and understanding their relevance to presymptomatic phases of disease. There are two major goals of this review. The first is to summarize some of the biomarkers identified in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis muscle that have a clinicopathological correlation with disease activity, evidence of a similar dysregulation in the SOD1G93A mouse during presymptomatic stages, and evidence of progressive change during disease progression. The second goal is to review the molecular pathways these biomarkers reflect and their potential role in mitigating or promoting disease progression, and as such, their potential as therapeutic targets in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H. King
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
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2
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Gao J, Jiang M, Erricolo D, Magin RL, Morfini G, Royston T, Larson AC, Li W. Identifying potential imaging markers for diffusion property changes in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Application of the continuous time random walk model to ultrahigh b-value diffusion-weighted MR images of spinal cord tissue. NMR Biomed 2024; 37:e5037. [PMID: 37721118 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Diffusion MRI (dMRI) explores tissue microstructures by analyzing diffusion-weighted signal decay measured at different b-values. While relatively low b-values are used for most dMRI models, high b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) techniques have gained interest given that the non-Gaussian water diffusion behavior observed at high b-values can yield potentially valuable information. In this study, we investigated anomalous diffusion behaviors associated with degeneration of spinal cord tissue using a continuous time random walk (CTRW) model for DWI data acquired across an extensive range of ultrahigh b-values. The diffusion data were acquired in situ from the lumbar level of spinal cords of wild-type and age-matched transgenic SOD1G93A mice, a well-established animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) featuring progressive degeneration of axonal tracts in this tissue. Based on the diffusion decay behaviors at low and ultrahigh b-values, we applied the CTRW model using various combinations of b-values and compared diffusion metrics calculated from the CTRW model between the experimental groups. We found that diffusion-weighted signal decay curves measured with ultrahigh b-values (up to 858,022 s/mm2 in this study) were well represented by the CTRW model. The anomalous diffusion coefficient obtained from lumbar spinal cords was significantly higher in SOD1G93A mice compared with control mice (14.7 × 10-5 ± 5.54 × 10-5 vs. 7.87 × 10-5 ± 2.48 × 10-5 mm2 /s, p = 0.01). We believe this is the first study to illustrate the efficacy of the CTRW model for analyzing anomalous diffusion regimes at ultrahigh b-values. The CTRW modeling of ultrahigh b-value dMRI can potentially present a novel approach for noninvasively evaluating alterations in spinal cord tissue associated with ALS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Preclinical Imaging Core, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mingchen Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Danilo Erricolo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas Royston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew C Larson
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Weiguo Li
- Preclinical Imaging Core, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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3
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Sarikidi A, Kefalakes E, Falk CS, Esser R, Ganser A, Thau-Habermann N, Petri S. Altered Immunomodulatory Responses in the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 Axis Mediated by hMSCs in an Early In Vitro SOD1 G93A Model of ALS. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112916. [PMID: 36428484 PMCID: PMC9688016 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron (MN) disease characterized by progressive MN loss and muscular atrophy resulting in rapidly progressive paralysis and respiratory failure. Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hMSC)-based therapy has been suggested to prolong MN survival via secretion of growth factors and modulation of cytokines/chemokines. We investigated the effects of hMSCs and a hMSC-conditioned medium (CM) on Cu/Zn superoxidase dismutase 1G93A (SOD1G93A) transgenic primary MNs. We found that co-culture of hMSCs and MNs resulted in slightly higher MN numbers, but did not protect against staurosporine (STS)-induced toxicity, implying marginal direct trophic effects of hMSCs. Aiming to elucidate the crosstalk between hMSCs and MNs in vitro, we found high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and C-X3-C motif chemokine 1 (CX3CL1) in the hMSC secretome. Co-culture of hMSCs and MNs resulted in altered gene expression of growth factors and cytokines/chemokines in both MNs and hMSCs. hMSCs showed upregulation of CX3CL1 and its receptor CX3CR1 and downregulation of interleukin-1 β (IL1β) and interleukin-8 (IL8) when co-cultured with SOD1G93A MNs. MNs, on the other hand, showed upregulation of growth factors as well as CX3CR1 upon hMSC co-culture. Our results indicate that hMSCs only provide moderate trophic support to MNs by growth factor gene regulation and may mediate anti-inflammatory responses through the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis, but also increase expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which limits their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Sarikidi
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ekaterini Kefalakes
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S. Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Esser
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Arnold Ganser
- Institute of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-3740
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4
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Estévez-Silva HM, Mediavilla T, Giacobbo BL, Liu X, Sultan FR, Marcellino DJ. Pridopidine modifies disease phenotype in a SOD1 mouse model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1356-1372. [PMID: 35080077 PMCID: PMC9305776 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal and incurable neurodegenerative disease due to the loss of upper and lower motor neurons, which leads to muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. Sigma‐1 receptor (σ‐1R) is a ligand‐operated protein that exhibits pro‐survival and anti‐apoptotic properties. In addition, mutations in its codifying gene are linked to development of juvenile ALS pointing to an important role in ALS. Here, we investigated the disease‐modifying effects of pridopidine, a σ‐1R agonist, using a delayed onset SOD1 G93A mouse model of ALS. Mice were administered a continuous release of pridopidine (3.0 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks starting before the appearance of any sign of muscle weakness. Mice were monitored weekly and several behavioural tests were used to evaluate muscle strength, motor coordination and gait patterns. Pridopidine‐treated SOD1 G93A mice showed genotype‐specific effects with the prevention of cachexia. In addition, these effects exhibited significant improvement of motor behaviour 5 weeks after treatment ended. However, the survival of the animals was not extended. In summary, these results show that pridopidine can modify the disease phenotype of ALS‐associated cachexia and motor deficits in a SOD1 G93A mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor M Estévez-Silva
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Tomás Mediavilla
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Xijia Liu
- Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fahad R Sultan
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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5
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Granatiero V, Sayles NM, Savino AM, Konrad C, Kharas MG, Kawamata H, Manfredi G. Modulation of the IGF1R-MTOR pathway attenuates motor neuron toxicity of human ALS SOD1 G93A astrocytes. Autophagy 2021; 17:4029-4042. [PMID: 33749521 PMCID: PMC8726657 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1899682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the most common motor neuron disease, causes muscle denervation and rapidly fatal paralysis. While motor neurons are the most affected cells in ALS, studies on the pathophysiology of the disease have highlighted the importance of non-cell autonomous mechanisms, which implicate astrocytes and other glial cells. In ALS, subsets of reactive astrocytes lose their physiological functions and become toxic for motor neurons, thereby contributing to disease pathogenesis. Evidence of astrocyte contribution to disease pathogenesis are well established in cellular and animal models of familial ALS linked to mutant SOD1, where astrocytes promote motor neuron cell death. The mechanism underlying astrocytes reactivity in conditions of CNS injury have been shown to involve the MTOR pathway. However, the role of this conserved metabolic signaling pathway, and the potential therapeutic effects of its modulation, have not been investigated in ALS astrocytes. Here, we show elevated activation of the MTOR pathway in human-derived astrocytes harboring mutant SOD1, which results in inhibition of macroautophagy/autophagy, increased cell proliferation, and enhanced astrocyte reactivity. We demonstrate that MTOR pathway activation in mutant SOD1 astrocytes is due to post-transcriptional upregulation of the IGF1R (insulin like growth factor 1 receptor), an upstream positive modulator of the MTOR pathway. Importantly, inhibition of the IGF1R-MTOR pathway decreases cell proliferation and reactivity of mutant SOD1 astrocytes, and attenuates their toxicity to motor neurons. These results suggest that modulation of astrocytic IGF1R-MTOR pathway could be a viable therapeutic strategy in SOD1 ALS and potentially other neurological diseases.Abbreviations: ACM: astrocyte conditioned medium; AKT: AKT serine/threonine kinase; ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; BrdU: thymidine analog 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine; CNS: central nervous system; EIF4EBP1/4EBP1: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1; GFAP: glial fibrillary acidic protein; IGF1R: insulin like growth factor 1 receptor; INSR: insulin receptor; iPSA: iPSC-derived astrocytes; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta;MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NES: nestin; PPK1: 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1; PI: propidium iodide; PPP: picropodophyllotoxin; PTEN: phosphatase and tensin homolog; S100B/S100β: S100 calcium binding protein B; SLC1A3/ EAAT1: solute carrier family 1 member 3; SMI-32: antibody to nonphosphorylated NEFH; SOD1: superoxide dismutase 1; TUBB3: tubulin beta 3 class III; ULK1: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Granatiero
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicole M. Sayles
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Angela M. Savino
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Center for Cell Engineering, Center for Stem Cell Biology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics, Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Csaba Konrad
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael G. Kharas
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Center for Cell Engineering, Center for Stem Cell Biology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics, Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hibiki Kawamata
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Marini C, Cossu V, Kumar M, Milanese M, Cortese K, Bruno S, Bellese G, Carta S, Zerbo RA, Torazza C, Bauckneht M, Venturi C, Raffa S, Orengo AM, Donegani MI, Chiola S, Ravera S, Castellani P, Morbelli S, Sambuceti G, Bonanno G. The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum in the Differential Endurance against Redox Stress in Cortical and Spinal Astrocytes from the Newborn SOD1 G93A Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091392. [PMID: 34573024 PMCID: PMC8472526 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies reported that the uptake of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is increased in the spinal cord (SC) and decreased in the motor cortex (MC) of patients with ALS, suggesting that the disease might differently affect the two nervous districts with different time sequence or with different mechanisms. Here we show that MC and SC astrocytes harvested from newborn B6SJL-Tg (SOD1G93A) 1Gur mice could play different roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. Spectrophotometric and cytofluorimetric analyses showed an increase in redox stress, a decrease in antioxidant capacity and a relative mitochondria respiratory uncoupling in MC SOD1G93A astrocytes. By contrast, SC mutated cells showed a higher endurance against oxidative damage, through the increase in antioxidant defense, and a preserved respiratory function. FDG uptake reproduced the metabolic response observed in ALS patients: SOD1G93A mutation caused a selective enhancement in tracer retention only in mutated SC astrocytes, matching the activity of the reticular pentose phosphate pathway and, thus, of hexose-6P dehydrogenase. Finally, both MC and SC mutated astrocytes were characterized by an impressive ultrastructural enlargement of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and impairment in ER–mitochondria networking, more evident in mutated MC than in SC cells. Thus, SOD1G93A mutation differently impaired MC and SC astrocyte biology in a very early stage of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Marini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), Segrate, 20054 Milan, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (A.M.O.); (S.C.); (S.M.); (G.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Vanessa Cossu
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (V.C.); (S.R.); (M.I.D.)
| | - Mandeep Kumar
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (M.K.); (M.M.); (R.A.Z.); (C.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (M.K.); (M.M.); (R.A.Z.); (C.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Katia Cortese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (K.C.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (C.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (K.C.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (C.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Grazia Bellese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (K.C.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (C.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Sonia Carta
- Cell Biology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Roberta Arianna Zerbo
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (M.K.); (M.M.); (R.A.Z.); (C.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Carola Torazza
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (M.K.); (M.M.); (R.A.Z.); (C.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Matteo Bauckneht
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (A.M.O.); (S.C.); (S.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Consuelo Venturi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (K.C.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (C.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefano Raffa
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (V.C.); (S.R.); (M.I.D.)
| | - Anna Maria Orengo
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (A.M.O.); (S.C.); (S.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Isabella Donegani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (V.C.); (S.R.); (M.I.D.)
| | - Silvia Chiola
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (A.M.O.); (S.C.); (S.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Silvia Ravera
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (K.C.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (C.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Patrizia Castellani
- Cell Biology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Silvia Morbelli
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (A.M.O.); (S.C.); (S.M.); (G.S.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (V.C.); (S.R.); (M.I.D.)
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- CNR Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), Segrate, 20054 Milan, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (A.M.O.); (S.C.); (S.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (M.K.); (M.M.); (R.A.Z.); (C.T.); (G.B.)
- Pharmacology and Toxycology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Méndez-López I, Sancho-Bielsa FJ, Engel T, García AG, Padín JF. Progressive Mitochondrial SOD1 G93A Accumulation Causes Severe Structural, Metabolic and Functional Aberrations through OPA1 Down-Regulation in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158194. [PMID: 34360957 PMCID: PMC8347639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the “non-autonomous motor neuron death” hypothesis has become more consolidated behind amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It postulates that cells other than motor neurons participate in the pathology. In fact, the involvement of the autonomic nervous system is fundamental since patients die of sudden death when they become unable to compensate for cardiorespiratory arrest. Mitochondria are thought to play a fundamental role in the physiopathology of ALS, as they are compromised in multiple ALS models in different cell types, and it also occurs in other neurodegenerative diseases. Our study aimed to uncover mitochondrial alterations in the sympathoadrenal system of a mouse model of ALS, from a structural, bioenergetic and functional perspective during disease instauration. We studied the adrenal chromaffin cell from mutant SOD1G93A mouse at pre-symptomatic and symptomatic stages. The mitochondrial accumulation of the mutated SOD1G93A protein and the down-regulation of optic atrophy protein-1 (OPA1) provoke mitochondrial ultrastructure alterations prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. These changes affect mitochondrial fusion dynamics, triggering mitochondrial maturation impairment and cristae swelling, with increased size of cristae junctions. The functional consequences are a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in the bioenergetics profile, with reduced maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity of mitochondria, as well as enhanced production of reactive oxygen species. This study identifies mitochondrial dynamics regulator OPA1 as an interesting therapeutic target in ALS. Additionally, our findings in the adrenal medulla gland from presymptomatic stages highlight the relevance of sympathetic impairment in this disease. Specifically, we show new SOD1G93A toxicity pathways affecting cellular energy metabolism in non-motor neurons, which offer a possible link between cell specific metabolic phenotype and the progression of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iago Méndez-López
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando and Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.M.-L.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Francisco J. Sancho-Bielsa
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | - Tobias Engel
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland;
- FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Antonio G. García
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando and Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.M.-L.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Juan Fernando Padín
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando and Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.M.-L.); (A.G.G.)
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain;
- Correspondence:
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8
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Kozlowska U, Klimczak A, Bednarowicz KA, Zalewski T, Rozwadowska N, Chojnacka K, Jurga S, Barnea ER, Kurpisz MK. Assessment of Immunological Potential of Glial Restricted Progenitor Graft In Vivo-Is Immunosuppression Mandatory? Cells 2021; 10:cells10071804. [PMID: 34359973 PMCID: PMC8308088 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease, causing motor neuron and skeletal muscle loss and death. One of the promising therapeutic approaches is stem cell graft application into the brain; however, an immune reaction against it creates serious limitations. This study aimed to research the efficiency of glial restricted progenitors (GRPs) grafted into murine CNS (central nervous system) in healthy models and the SOD1G93A ALS disease model. The cellular grafts were administered in semiallogenic and allogeneic settings. To investigate the models of immune reaction against grafted GRPs, we applied three immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory regimens: preimplantation factor (PiF); Tacrolimus; and CTLA-4, MR1 co-stimulatory blockade. We tracked the cells with bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in vivo to study their survival. The immune response character was evaluated with brain tissue assays and multiplex ELISA in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The application of immunosuppressive drugs is disputable when considering cellular transplants into the immune-privileged site/brain. However, our data revealed that semiallogenic GRP graft might survive inside murine CNS without the necessity to apply any immunomodulation or immunosuppression, whereas, in the situation of allogeneic mouse setting, the combination of CTLA-4, MR1 blockade can be considered as the best immunosuppressive option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Kozlowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (U.K.); (A.K.)
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (K.A.B.); (N.R.)
| | - Aleksandra Klimczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (U.K.); (A.K.)
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (K.A.B.); (N.R.)
| | | | - Tomasz Zalewski
- NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (T.Z.); (S.J.)
| | - Natalia Rozwadowska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (K.A.B.); (N.R.)
| | - Katarzyna Chojnacka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Stefan Jurga
- NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (T.Z.); (S.J.)
| | - Eytan R. Barnea
- The Society for the Investigation of Early Pregnancy (SIEP), Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, USA;
- BioIncept LLC, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, USA
| | - Maciej K. Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (K.A.B.); (N.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-65-79-202
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9
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Post J, Schaffrath A, Gering I, Hartwig S, Lehr S, Shah NJ, Langen KJ, Willbold D, Kutzsche J, Willuweit A. Oral Treatment with RD2RD2 Impedes Development of Motoric Phenotype and Delays Symptom Onset in SOD1 G93A Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137066. [PMID: 34209129 PMCID: PMC8269060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has been implicated as driver of disease progression and is observed in ALS patients, as well as in the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model. Here, we explore and validate the therapeutic potential of the d-enantiomeric peptide RD2RD2 upon oral administration in SOD1G93A mice. Transgenic mice were treated daily with RD2RD2 or placebo for 10 weeks and phenotype progression was followed with several behavioural tests. At the end of the study, plasma cytokine levels and glia cell markers in brain and spinal cord were analysed. Treatment resulted in a significantly increased performance in behavioural and motor coordination tests and a decelerated neurodegenerative phenotype in RD2RD2-treated SOD1G93A mice. Additionally, we observed retardation of the average disease onset. Treatment of SOD1G93A mice led to significant reduction in glial cell activation and a rescue of neurons. Analysis of plasma revealed normalisation of several cytokines in samples of RD2RD2-treated SOD1G93A mice towards the levels of non-transgenic mice. In conclusion, these findings qualify RD2RD2 to be considered for further development and testing towards a disease modifying ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Post
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Anja Schaffrath
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Sonja Hartwig
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (S.H.); (S.L.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Lehr
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (S.H.); (S.L.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 11, INM-11, JARA, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- JARA-Brain-Translational Medicine, 52062 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
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10
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Migliarini S, Scaricamazza S, Valle C, Ferri A, Pasqualetti M, Ferraro E. Microglia Morphological Changes in the Motor Cortex of hSOD1 G93A Transgenic ALS Mice. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060807. [PMID: 34207086 PMCID: PMC8234003 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of spinal motor neurons as well as corticospinal (CSN) large pyramidal neurons within cortex layer V. An intense microglia immune response has been associated with both upper and lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS patients, whereas microgliosis occurrence in the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice—the best characterized model of this disease—is not clear and remains under debate. Since the impact of microglia cells in the neuronal environment seems to be crucial for both the initiation and the progression of the disease, here we analyzed the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice at the onset of symptoms by the immunolabeling of Iba1/TMEM119 double positive cells and confocal microscopy. By means of Sholl analysis, we were able to identify and quantify the presence of presumably activated Iba1/TMEM119-positive microglia cells with shorter and thicker processes as compared to the normal surveilling and more ramified microglia present in WT cortices. We strongly believe that being able to analyze microglia activation in the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice is of great importance for defining the timing and the extent of microglia involvement in CSN degeneration and for the identification of the initiation stages of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Migliarini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Silvia Scaricamazza
- National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (C.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Cristiana Valle
- National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (C.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Alberto Ferri
- National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (C.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Ferraro
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-339-271-0210 or +39-050-221-1491
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11
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Obrador E, Salvador R, Marchio P, López-Blanch R, Jihad-Jebbar A, Rivera P, Vallés SL, Banacloche S, Alcácer J, Colomer N, Coronado JA, Alandes S, Drehmer E, Benlloch M, Estrela JM. Nicotinamide Riboside and Pterostilbene Cooperatively Delay Motor Neuron Failure in ALS SOD1 G93A Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:1345-1371. [PMID: 33174130 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02188-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress-induced damage is a major mechanism in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A recent human clinical trial showed that the combination of nicotinamide riboside (NR) and pterostilbene (PT), molecules with potential to interfere in that mechanism, was efficacious in ALS patients. We examined the effect of these molecules in SOD1G93A transgenic mice, a well-stablished model of ALS. Assessment of neuromotor activity and coordination was correlated with histopathology, and measurement of proinflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid. Cell death, Nrf2- and redox-dependent enzymes and metabolites, and sirtuin activities were studied in isolated motor neurons. NR and PT increased survival and ameliorated ALS-associated loss of neuromotor functions in SOD1G93A transgenic mice. NR and PT also decreased the microgliosis and astrogliosis associated with ALS progression. Increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in the cerebrospinal fluid of mice and humans with ALS. NR and PT ameliorated TNFα-induced oxidative stress and motor neuron death in vitro. Our results support the involvement of oxidative stress, specific Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defenses, and sirtuins in the pathophysiology of ALS. NR and PT interfere with the mechanisms leading to the release of proapoptotic molecular signals by mitochondria, and also promote mitophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Obrador
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosario Salvador
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Patricia Marchio
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Blanch
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ali Jihad-Jebbar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Rivera
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Soraya L Vallés
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador Banacloche
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Alcácer
- Pathology Laboratory, Quirón Hospital, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Colomer
- Pathology Laboratory, Quirón Hospital, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Sandra Alandes
- Pathology Laboratory, Quirón Hospital, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eraci Drehmer
- Department of Health and Functional Valorization, Catholic University of San Vicente Martir, 46001, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Benlloch
- Department of Health and Functional Valorization, Catholic University of San Vicente Martir, 46001, Valencia, Spain
| | - José M Estrela
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 15 Av. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
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12
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Moreno-García L, Miana-Mena FJ, Moreno-Martínez L, de la Torre M, Lunetta C, Tarlarini C, Zaragoza P, Calvo AC, Osta R. Inflammasome in ALS Skeletal Muscle: NLRP3 as a Potential Biomarker. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2523. [PMID: 33802349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since NLRP3 inflammasome plays a pivotal role in several neurodegenerative disorders, we hypothesized that levels of inflammasome components could help in diagnosis or prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Gene and protein expression was assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the linear correlation of transcriptional expression levels with longevity throughout disease progression in mice models. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate MCC950 effects (NLRP3 inhibitor) on lifespan of SOD1G93A mice. The results showed significant alterations in NLRP3 inflammasome gene and protein levels in the skeletal muscle of SOD1G93A mice. Spearman's correlation coefficient revealed a positive association between Nlrp3 transcriptional levels in skeletal muscle and longevity of SOD1G93A mice (r = 0.506; p = 0.027). Accordingly, NLRP3 inactivation with MCC950 decreased the lifespan of mice. Furthermore, NLRP3 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the blood of ALS patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.03). In conclusion, NLRP3 could be involved in skeletal muscle pathogenesis of ALS, either through inflammasome or independently, and may play a dual role during disease progression. NLRP3 gene expression levels could be used as a biomarker to improve diagnosis and prognosis in skeletal muscle from animal models and also to support diagnosis in clinical practice with the blood of ALS patients.
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13
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Golini E, Rigamonti M, Iannello F, De Rosa C, Scavizzi F, Raspa M, Mandillo S. A Non-invasive Digital Biomarker for the Detection of Rest Disturbances in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:896. [PMID: 32982678 PMCID: PMC7490341 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects both central and peripheral nervous system, leading to the degeneration of motor neurons, which eventually results in muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death. Sleep disturbances are common in patients with ALS, leading to even further deteriorated quality of life. Investigating methods to potentially assess sleep and rest disturbances in animal models of ALS is thus of crucial interest. We used an automated home cage monitoring system (DVC®) to capture irregular activity patterns that can potentially be associated with sleep and rest disturbances and thus to the progression of ALS in the SOD1G93A mouse model. DVC® enables non-intrusive 24/7 long term animal activity monitoring, which we assessed together with body weight decline and neuromuscular function deterioration measured by grid hanging and grip strength tests in male and female mice from 7 until 24 weeks of age. We show that as the ALS progresses over time in SOD1G93A mice, activity patterns start becoming irregular, especially during day time, with frequent activity bouts that are neither observed in control mice nor in SOD1G93A at a younger age. The increasing irregularities of activity pattern are quantitatively captured by designing a novel digital biomarker, referred to as Regularity Disruption Index (RDI). We show that RDI is a robust measure capable of detecting home cage activity patterns that could be related to rest/sleep-related disturbances during the disease progression. Moreover, the RDI rise during the early symptomatic stage parallels grid hanging and body weight decline. The non-intrusive long-term continuous monitoring of animal activity enabled by DVC® has been instrumental in discovering novel activity patterns potentially correlated, once validated, with sleep and rest disturbances in the SOD1G93A mouse model of the ALS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Golini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla De Rosa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Silvia Mandillo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
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14
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Branchereau P, Martin E, Allain AE, Cazenave W, Supiot L, Hodeib F, Laupénie A, Dalvi U, Zhu H, Cattaert D. Relaxation of synaptic inhibitory events as a compensatory mechanism in fetal SOD spinal motor networks. eLife 2019; 8:e51402. [PMID: 31868588 PMCID: PMC6974356 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons (MNs) during late adulthood. Here, with the aim of identifying early changes underpinning ALS neurodegeneration, we analyzed the GABAergic/glycinergic inputs to E17.5 fetal MNs from SOD1G93A (SOD) mice in parallel with chloride homeostasis. Our results show that IPSCs are less frequent in SOD animals in accordance with a reduction of synaptic VIAAT-positive terminals. SOD MNs exhibited an EGABAAR10 mV more depolarized than in WT MNs associated with a KCC2 reduction. Interestingly, SOD GABAergic/glycinergic IPSCs and evoked GABAAR-currents exhibited a slower decay correlated to elevated [Cl-]i. Computer simulations revealed that a slower relaxation of synaptic inhibitory events acts as compensatory mechanism to strengthen GABA/glycine inhibition when EGABAAR is more depolarized. How such mechanisms evolve during pathophysiological processes remain to be determined, but our data indicate that at least SOD1 familial ALS may be considered as a neurodevelopmental disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elodie Martin
- University of BordeauxCNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287BordeauxFrance
| | | | | | - Laura Supiot
- University of BordeauxCNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287BordeauxFrance
| | - Fara Hodeib
- University of BordeauxCNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287BordeauxFrance
| | | | - Urvashi Dalvi
- University of BordeauxCNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287BordeauxFrance
| | - Hongmei Zhu
- University of BordeauxCNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287BordeauxFrance
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15
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Shang HY, Zhang JJ, Fu ZF, Liu YF, Li S, Chen S, Le WD. Therapeutic effects of hirsutella sinensis on the disease onset and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in SOD1 G93A transgenic mouse model. CNS Neurosci Ther 2019; 26:90-100. [PMID: 31318169 PMCID: PMC6930832 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Although the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still not completely understood, the deregulated microglia polarization and neuroinflammation have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of this disease. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether hirsutella sinensis (HS) could reduce neuroinflammatory and pathological changes in the spinal cord of SOD1G93A model mice of ALS and consequently ameliorate disease onset and progression. Methods SOD1G93A mice were chronically treated with HS by gavage. Their lifespan was recorded, and motor behavior was evaluated by rotarod test. The pathological changes in skeletal muscles and motor neurons in spinal cords were assessed by immunofluorescent staining and hematoxylin‐eosin staining. The microglia activation and neuroinflammation were determined by immunofluorescent staining and RT‐PCR. Results Our data suggested that repeated HS administration prolonged the lifespan and extended disease duration of ALS mice without significant delay on disease onset. HS ameliorated the pathological changes in the motor neurons and gastrocnemius muscles. Moreover, HS promoted the transition of microglia from pro‐inflammatory M1 to anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype in the spinal cord of ALS mice. Conclusion All these findings indicate that HS may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yan Shang
- Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,General Hospital of Yangtze River Shipping, Wuhan Brain Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing-Jing Zhang
- Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
| | - Zhen-Fa Fu
- Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yu-Fei Liu
- Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Song Li
- Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Dong Le
- Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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16
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Rué L, Oeckl P, Timmers M, Lenaerts A, van der Vos J, Smolders S, Poppe L, de Boer A, Van Den Bosch L, Van Damme P, Weishaupt JH, Ludolph AC, Otto M, Robberecht W, Lemmens R. Reduction of ephrin-A5 aggravates disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:114. [PMID: 31300041 PMCID: PMC6626434 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0759-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brainstem, spinal cord and motor cortex. ALS is characterized by genetic and clinical heterogeneity, suggesting the existence of genetic factors that modify the phenotypic expression of the disease. We previously identified the axonal guidance EphA4 receptor, member of the Eph-ephrin system, as an ALS disease-modifying factor. EphA4 genetic inhibition rescued the motor neuron phenotype in zebrafish and a rodent model of ALS. Preventing ligands from binding to the EphA4 receptor also successfully improved disease, suggesting a role for EphA4 ligands in ALS. One particular ligand, ephrin-A5, is upregulated in reactive astrocytes after acute neuronal injury and inhibits axonal regeneration. Moreover, it plays a role during development in the correct pathfinding of motor axons towards their target limb muscles. We hypothesized that a constitutive reduction of ephrin-A5 signalling would benefit disease progression in a rodent model for ALS. We discovered that in the spinal cord of control and symptomatic ALS mice ephrin-A5 was predominantly expressed in neurons. Surprisingly, reduction of ephrin-A5 levels in SOD1G93A mice accelerated disease progression and reduced survival without affecting disease onset, motor neuron numbers or innervated neuromuscular junctions in symptomatic mice. These findings suggest ephrin-A5 as a modifier of disease progression that might play a role in the later stages of the disease. Similarly, we identified a more aggressive disease progression in patients with lower ephrin-A5 protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid without modifying disease onset. In summary, we identified reduced expression of ephrin-A5 to accelerate disease progression in a mouse model of ALS as well as in humans. Combined with our previous findings on the role of EphA4 in ALS our current data suggests different contribution for various members of the Eph-ephrin system in the pathophysiology of a motor neuron disease.
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17
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Sengupta S, Le TT, Adam A, Tadić V, Stubendorff B, Keiner S, Kloss L, Prell T, Witte OW, Grosskreutz J. Interferon-γ Receptor 1 and GluR1 upregulated in motor neurons of symptomatic h SOD1G93A mice. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 49:62-78. [PMID: 30457201 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Motor neurons are markedly vulnerable to excitotoxicity mostly by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic receptor (AMPAR) stimulation and are principal targets in the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, can independently cause neuronal dysfunction by triggering calcium influx through a calcium-permeable complex of IFN-γ receptor 1(IFNGR1) subunit and AMPAR subunit GluR1. This receptor complex is formed via a non-canonical neuron-specific IFN-γ pathway that involves Jak1/Stat1 and Protein Kinase A. In this study, we explore the expression of the pathway's participants for the first time in the hSOD1G93A Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mouse model. Elevated IFNGR1 and GluR1 are detected in motor neurons of hSOD1G93A symptomatic mice ex vivo, unlike the downstream targets - Jak1, Stat1, and Protein Kinase A. We, also, determine effects of IFN-γ alone or in the presence of an excitotoxic agent, kainate, on motor neuron survival in vitro. IFN-γ induces neuronal damage, but does not influence kainate-mediated excitotoxicity. Increased IFNGR1 can most likely sensitize motor neurons to excitotoxic insults involving GluR1 and/or pathways mediated by IFN-γ, thus, serving as a potential direct link between neurodegeneration and inflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikata Sengupta
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Thanh Tu Le
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Adam Adam
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Vedrana Tadić
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Silke Keiner
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Linda Kloss
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Tino Prell
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Otto W Witte
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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18
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Cocozza G, di Castro MA, Carbonari L, Grimaldi A, Antonangeli F, Garofalo S, Porzia A, Madonna M, Mainiero F, Santoni A, Grassi F, Wulff H, D'Alessandro G, Limatola C. Ca 2+-activated K + channels modulate microglia affecting motor neuron survival in hSOD1 G93A mice. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 73:584-595. [PMID: 29981425 PMCID: PMC6129409 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies described a critical role for microglia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where these CNS-resident immune cells participate in the establishment of an inflammatory microenvironment that contributes to motor neuron degeneration. Understanding the mechanisms leading to microglia activation in ALS could help to identify specific molecular pathways which could be targeted to reduce or delay motor neuron degeneration and muscle paralysis in patients. The intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 has been reported to modulate the "pro-inflammatory" phenotype of microglia in different pathological conditions. We here investigated the effects of blocking KCa3.1 activity in the hSOD1G93AALS mouse model, which recapitulates many features of the human disease. We report that treatment of hSOD1G93A mice with a selective KCa3.1 inhibitor, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (TRAM-34), attenuates the "pro-inflammatory" phenotype of microglia in the spinal cord, reduces motor neuron death, delays onset of muscle weakness, and increases survival. Specifically, inhibition of KCa3.1 channels slowed muscle denervation, decreased the expression of the fetal acetylcholine receptor γ subunit and reduced neuromuscular junction damage. Taken together, these results demonstrate a key role for KCa3.1 in driving a pro-inflammatory microglia phenotype in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Cocozza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nanoscience - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Carbonari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Grimaldi
- Center for Life Nanoscience - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Antonangeli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Mainiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Francesca Grassi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
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19
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disabling progressive disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle atrophy and paralysis. The majority of cases are sporadic, but also a familiar form of ALS exists, and some genes causative of the pathology were found. In particular, mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) were found in 20% of familiar cases. It is known that neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in several neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS. Inflammasomes are protein complexes that induce inflammation in response to various stimuli, involved also in neuroinflammation. The NLRP3 inflammasome, which is the best known, after assembly, induces the activation of caspase 1, which in turn activates interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The aim of this work was the evaluation of inflammasome activation in the brain of SOD1G93A rats, a transgenic model of ALS. We observed the increase in TLR4 and nuclear NF-κB levels in SOD1G93A rats. Their activation is known as priming signal for inflammasome induction. Moreover, NLRP3 protein increased, associated with the presence of active caspase 1, leading to an increase in IL-18 and IL-1β levels. In addition, IL-1β, IL-18, and IFN-γ amount increased in the spleen of SOD1G93A rats, together with an increased expression of CD4, CD8, CD44, and CD68 markers. In conclusion, our results showed the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the brain of SOD1G93A rats, indicating that inflammation plays a main role in ALS.
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20
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Weerasekera A, Sima DM, Dresselaers T, Van Huffel S, Van Damme P, Himmelreich U. Non-invasive assessment of disease progression and neuroprotective effects of dietary coconut oil supplementation in the ALS SOD1 G93A mouse model: A 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopic study. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 20:1092-1105. [PMID: 30368196 PMCID: PMC6202692 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease primarily characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Due to relatively fast progression of ALS, early diagnosis is essential for possible therapeutic intervention and disease management. To identify potential diagnostic markers, we investigated age-dependent effects of disease onset and progression on regional neurochemistry in the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model using localized in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). We focused mainly on the brainstem region since brainstem motor nuclei are the primarily affected regions in SOD1G93A mice and ALS patients. In addition, metabolite profiles of the motor cortex were also assessed. In the brainstem, a gradual decrease in creatine levels were detected starting from the pre-symptomatic age of 70 days postpartum. During the early symptomatic phase (day 90), a significant increase in the levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ- aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured. At later time points, alterations in the form of decreased NAA, glutamate, glutamine and increased myo-inositol were observed. Also, decreased glutamate, NAA and increased taurine levels were seen at late stages in the motor cortex. A proof-of-concept (PoC) study was conducted to assess the effects of coconut oil supplementation in SODG93A mice. The PoC revealed that the coconut oil supplementation together with the regular diet delayed disease symptoms, enhanced motor performance, and prolonged survival in the SOD1G93A mouse model. Furthermore, MRS data showed stable metabolic profile at day 120 in the coconut oil diet group compared to the group receiving a standard diet without coconut oil supplementation. In addition, a positive correlation between survival and the neuronal marker NAA was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports metabolic changes in the brainstem using in vivo MRS and effects of coconut oil supplementation as a prophylactic treatment in SOD1G93A mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Weerasekera
- Biomedical MRI Unit/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - D M Sima
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; icometrix, R&D department, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Dresselaers
- Radiology, Department of Imaging and Pathology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Van Huffel
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - P Van Damme
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - U Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI Unit/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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21
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Dobrowolny G, Lepore E, Martini M, Barberi L, Nunn A, Scicchitano BM, Musarò A. Metabolic Changes Associated With Muscle Expression of SOD1 G93A. Front Physiol 2018; 9:831. [PMID: 30042688 PMCID: PMC6048270 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, classified into sporadic or familial forms and characterized by motor neurons death, muscle atrophy, weakness, and paralysis. Among the familial cases of ALS, approximately 20% are caused by dominant mutations in the gene coding for superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein. Of note, mutant SOD1 toxicity is not necessarily limited to the central nervous system. ALS is indeed a multi-systemic and multifactorial disease that affects whole body physiology and induces severe metabolic changes in several tissues, including skeletal muscle. Nevertheless, whether alterations in the plasticity, heterogeneity, and metabolism of muscle fibers are the result of motor neuron degeneration or alternatively occur independently of it remain to be elucidated. To address this issue, we made use of a mouse model (MLC/SOD1G93A) that overexpresses the SOD1 mutant gene selectively in skeletal muscle. We found an alteration in the metabolic properties of skeletal muscle characterized by alteration in fiber type composition and metabolism. Indeed, we observed an alteration of muscle glucose metabolism associated with the induction of Phosphofructokinases and Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 expression. The upregulation of Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 led to the inhibition of Pyruvate conversion into Acetyl-CoA. Moreover, we demonstrated that the MLC/SOD1G93A transgene was associated with an increase of lipid catabolism and with the inhibition of fat deposition inside muscle fibers. All together these data demonstrate that muscle expression of the SOD1G93A gene induces metabolic changes, along with a preferential use of lipid energy fuel by muscle fibers. We provided evidences that muscle metabolic alterations occurred before disease symptoms and independently of motor neuron degeneration, indicating that skeletal muscle is likely an important therapeutic target in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Dobrowolny
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO - Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Lepore
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO - Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Martini
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO - Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Barberi
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO - Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Abigail Nunn
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Scicchitano
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO - Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
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22
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Kim JM, Billington E, Reyes A, Notarianni T, Sage J, Agbas E, Taylor M, Monast I, Stanford JA, Agbas A. Impaired Cu-Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) and Calcineurin (Cn) Interaction in ALS: A Presumed Consequence for TDP-43 and Zinc Aggregation in Tg SOD1 G93A Rodent Spinal Cord Tissue. Neurochem Res 2018; 44:228-233. [PMID: 29299811 PMCID: PMC6345727 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2461-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Impaired interactions between Calcineurin (Cn) and (Cu/Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are suspected to be responsible for the formation of hyperphosphorylated protein aggregation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Serine (Ser)- enriched phosphorylated TDP-43 protein aggregation appears in the spinal cord of ALS animal models, and may be linked to the reduced phosphatase activity of Cn. The mutant overexpressed SOD1G93A protein does not properly bind zinc (Zn) in animal models; hence, mutant SOD1G93A–Cn interaction weakens. Consequently, unstable Cn fails to dephosphorylate TDP-43 that yields hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 aggregates. Our previous studies had suggested that Cn and SOD1 interaction was necessary to keep Cn enzyme functional. We have observed low Cn level, increased Zn concentrations, and increased TDP-43 protein levels in cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions of the spinal cord tissue homogenates. This study further supports our previously published work indicating that Cn stability depends on functional Cn–SOD1 interaction because Zn is crucial for maintaining the Cn stability. Less active Cn did not efficiently dephosphorylate TDP-43; hence TDP-43 aggregations appeared in the spinal cord tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolene M Kim
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - Elizabeth Billington
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - Ada Reyes
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - Tara Notarianni
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - Jessica Sage
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - Emre Agbas
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Michael Taylor
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - Ian Monast
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA
| | - John A Stanford
- University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., 2096 HLSIC, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Abdulbaki Agbas
- Division of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 6410, USA.
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23
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Jaiswal MK. Riluzole But Not Melatonin Ameliorates Acute Motor Neuron Degeneration and Moderately Inhibits SOD1-Mediated Excitotoxicity Induced Disrupted Mitochondrial Ca 2+ Signaling in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 10:295. [PMID: 28111541 PMCID: PMC5216043 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective motoneurons (MNs) degeneration in the brain stem, hypoglossal motoneurons (HMNs), and the spinal cord resulting in patients paralysis and eventual death are prominent features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Previous studies have suggested that mitochondrial respiratory impairment, low Ca2+ buffering and homeostasis and excitotoxicity are the pathological phenotypes found in mice, and cell culture models of familial ALS (fALS) linked with Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutation. In our study, we aimed to understand the impact of riluzole and melatonin on excitotoxicity, neuronal protection and Ca2+ signaling in individual HMNs ex vivo in symptomatic adult ALS mouse brain stem slice preparations and in WT and SOD1-G93A transfected SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line using fluorescence microscopy, calcium imaging with high speed charged coupled device camera, together with immunohistochemistry, cell survival assay and histology. In our experiments, riluzole but not melatonin ameliorates MNs degeneration and moderately inhibit excitotoxicity and cell death in SH-SY5YWT or SH-SY5YG93A cell lines induced by complex IV blocker sodium azide. In brain stem slice preparations, riluzole significantly inhibit HMNs cell death induced by inhibiting the mitochondrial electron transport chain by Na-azide. In the HMNs of brainstem slice prepared from adult (14–15 weeks) WT, and corresponding symptomatic SOD1G93A mice, we measured the effect of riluzole and melatonin on [Ca2+]i using fura-2 AM ratiometric calcium imaging in individual MNs. Riluzole caused a significant decrease in [Ca2+]i transients and reversibly inhibited [Ca2+]i transients in Fura-2 AM loaded HMNs exposed to Na-azide in adult symptomatic SOD1G93A mice. On the contrary, melatonin failed to show similar effects in the HMNs of WT and SOD1G93A mice. Intrinsic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence, an indicator of mitochondrial metabolism and health in MNs, showed enhanced intrinsic NADH fluorescence in HMNs in presence of riluzole when respiratory chain activity was inhibited by Na-azide. Riluzole’s inhibition of excitability and Ca2+ signaling may be due to its multiple effects on cellular function of mitochondria. Therefore formulating a drug therapy to stabilize mitochondria-related signaling pathways using riluzole might be a valuable approach for cell death protection in ALS. Taken together, the pharmacological profiles of the riluzole and melatonin strengthen the case that riluzole indeed can be used as a therapeutic agent in ALS whereas claims of the efficacy of melatonin alone need further investigation as it fail to show significant neuroprotection efficacy.
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24
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Su XW, Nandar W, Neely EB, Simmons Z, Connor JR. Statins accelerate disease progression and shorten survival in SOD1(G93A) mice. Muscle Nerve 2016; 54:284-91. [PMID: 26799243 DOI: 10.1002/mus.25048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and H63D HFE polymorphism may modify amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We hypothesized that statins worsen phenotype in ALS mice, dependent on HFE genotype. METHODS Mice harboring SOD1(G93A) heterozygous for H67D Hfe (homologous to human H63D HFE) were administered simvastatin and/or coenzyme Q10, and were allowed to reach end stage. Disease progression was measured by grip strength. A separate group of animals was administered simvastatin and euthanized at the symptomatic 120-day time-point. Mitochondria from gastrocnemius muscle and lumbar spine were analyzed. RESULTS Simvastatin and H67D Hfe accelerated disease progression. Simvastatin decreased survival. Coenzyme Q10 did not rescue statin-induced effects. Statins did not alter mitochondrial protein levels. CONCLUSIONS Statins and Hfe genotype alter disease course in the ALS mouse model. Because the H63D HFE polymorphism is present in 30% of patients with ALS, studying disease progression in patients who receive statins, stratified for HFE genotype, may guide therapy. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54: 284-291, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei W Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Mailcode H110, 500 University Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA
| | - Wint Nandar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Mailcode H110, 500 University Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Neely
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Mailcode H110, 500 University Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA
| | - Zachary Simmons
- Department of Neurology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James R Connor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Mailcode H110, 500 University Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA
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25
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Gargiulo S, Anzilotti S, Coda ARD, Gramanzini M, Greco A, Panico M, Vinciguerra A, Zannetti A, Vicidomini C, Dollé F, Pignataro G, Quarantelli M, Annunziato L, Brunetti A, Salvatore M, Pappatà S. Imaging of brain TSPO expression in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with (18)F-DPA-714 and micro-PET/CT. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2016; 43:1348-59. [PMID: 26816193 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-016-3311-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of (18)F-DPA-714 for the study of microglial activation in the brain and spinal cord of transgenic SOD1(G93A) mice using high-resolution PET/CT and to evaluate the Iba1 and TSPO expression with immunohistochemistry. METHODS Nine symptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice (aged 117 ± 12.7 days, clinical score range 1 - 4) and five WT SOD1 control mice (aged 108 ± 28.5 days) underwent (18)F-DPA-714 PET/CT. SUV ratios were calculated by normalizing the cerebellar (rCRB), brainstem (rBS), motor cortex (rMCX) and cervical spinal cord (rCSC) activities to that of the frontal association cortex. Two WT SOD1 and six symptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice were studied by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In the symptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice, rCRB, rBS and rCSC were increased as compared to the values in WT SOD1 mice, with a statistically significantly difference in rBS (2.340 ± 0.784 vs 1.576 ± 0.287, p = 0.014). Immunofluorescence studies showed that TSPO expression was increased in the trigeminal, facial, ambiguus and hypoglossal nuclei, as well as in the spinal cord, of symptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice and was colocalized with increased Iba1 staining. CONCLUSION Increased (18)F-DPA-714 uptake can be detected with high-resolution PET/CT in the brainstem of transgenic SOD1(G93A) mice, a region known to be a site of degeneration and increased microglial activation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in agreement with increased TSPO expression in the brainstem nuclei shown by immunostaining. Therefore, (18)F-DPA-714 PET/CT might be a suitable tool to evaluate microglial activation in the SOD1(G93A) mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gargiulo
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate s. c. a r. l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - S Anzilotti
- IRCCS SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | - A R D Coda
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - M Gramanzini
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate s. c. a r. l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - A Greco
- Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate s. c. a r. l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - M Panico
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - A Vinciguerra
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - A Zannetti
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - C Vicidomini
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - F Dollé
- CEA, Institute for Biomedical Imaging, 4 Place du Général Leclerc, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - G Pignataro
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - M Quarantelli
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - L Annunziato
- IRCCS SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80143, Naples, Italy.,Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - A Brunetti
- Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate s. c. a r. l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - M Salvatore
- IRCCS SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | - S Pappatà
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145, Naples, Italy.
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26
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Dobrowolny G, Bernardini C, Martini M, Baranzini M, Barba M, Musarò A. Muscle Expression of SOD1(G93A) Modulates microRNA and mRNA Transcription Pattern Associated with the Myelination Process in the Spinal Cord of Transgenic Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:463. [PMID: 26648847 PMCID: PMC4664730 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial system severely affected in several neuromuscular diseases is the loss of effective connection between muscle and nerve, leading to a pathological non-communication between the two tissues. One of the best examples of impaired interplay between muscle and nerve is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of motor neurons and muscle atrophy. Increasing evidences suggest that damage to motor neurons is enhanced by alterations in the neighboring non-neuronal cells and indicate that altered skeletal muscle might be the source of signals that impinge motor neuron activity and survival. Here we investigated whether muscle selective expression of SOD1G93A mutant gene modulates mRNAs and miRNAs expression at the level of spinal cord of MLC/SOD1G93A mice. Using a Taqman array, the Affymetrix Mouse Gene 2.0 ST approach and the MiRwalk 2.0 database, which provides information on miRNA and their predicted target genes, we revealed that muscle specific expression of SOD1G93A modulates relevant molecules of the genetic and epigenetic circuitry of myelin homeostasis in spinal cord of transgenic mice. Our study provides insights into the pathophysiological interplay between muscle and nerve and supports the hypothesis that muscle is a source of signals that can either positively or negatively affect the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Dobrowolny
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Martini
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Baranzini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
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Alves CJ, Maximino JR, Chadi G. Dysregulated expression of death, stress and mitochondrion related genes in the sciatic nerve of presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) mouse model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:332. [PMID: 26339226 PMCID: PMC4555015 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cells are the main source of paracrine support to motor neurons. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been correlated to motor neuron death in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Despite the involvement of Schwann cells in early neuromuscular disruption in ALS, detailed molecular events of a dying-back triggering are unknown. Sciatic nerves of presymptomatic (60-day-old) SOD1(G93A) mice were submitted to a high-density oligonucleotide microarray analysis. DAVID demonstrated the deregulated genes related to death, stress and mitochondrion, which allowed the identification of Cell cycle, ErbB signaling, Tryptophan metabolism and Rig-I-like receptor signaling as the most representative KEGG pathways. The protein-protein interaction networks based upon deregulated genes have identified the top hubs (TRAF2, H2AFX, E2F1, FOXO3, MSH2, NGFR, TGFBR1) and bottlenecks (TRAF2, E2F1, CDKN1B, TWIST1, FOXO3). Schwann cells were enriched from the sciatic nerve of presymptomatic mice using flow cytometry cell sorting. qPCR showed the up regulated (Ngfr, Cdnkn1b, E2f1, Traf2 and Erbb3, H2afx, Cdkn1a, Hspa1, Prdx, Mapk10) and down-regulated (Foxo3, Mtor) genes in the enriched Schwann cells. In conclusion, molecular analyses in the presymptomatic sciatic nerve demonstrated the involvement of death, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial pathways in the Schwann cell non-autonomous mechanisms in the early stages of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystian J Alves
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica R Maximino
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerson Chadi
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
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Smith KS, Rush RA, Rogers ML. Characterization and changes in neurotrophin receptor p75-Expressing motor neurons in SOD1(G93A) G1H mice [corrected]. J Comp Neurol 2015; 523:1664-82. [PMID: 25711805 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mice with high numbers of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-1 G93A transgene (SOD1(G93A) G1H) have become the most commonly used animal model to study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study investigated changes in size, numbers, and cell stress/death markers of motor neuron numbers in G1H mice that re-express the common p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). SOD1(G93A) G1H mice and age-matched C57BL/6J controls at 60, 80, 100, 120 days and end stage/140 days were analyzed for p75NTR, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and cleaved caspase-3. In addition, motor neuron counts and soma sizes were recorded. Motor neurons re-expressing p75NTR in SOD1(G93A) G1H mice were first observed at 80 days, and this continued to 140 days, peaking at 100-120 days at ∼5%. The soma area of motor neurons re-expressing p75NTR was always 600-800 µm(2) , suggesting that these are alpha motor neurons, which was confirmed after examination of somas post injection of a retrogradely transported antibody to p75NTR in 110-day-old SOD1(G93A) G1H mice. In motor neurons not re-expressing p75NTR, the frequency of small soma 200-400 µm2 motor neurons increased, whereas the larger 600-900 µm2 motor neurons decreased with progression, indicating that large motor neurons were dying off and shrinking in the process. There was minimal coexpression of p75NTR with ATF3, a marker for cell stress, but 85% coexpressed the apoptotic marker cleaved caspase-3. These findings indicate that in SOD1(G93A) G1H mice, p75NTR re-expression is detectable from 80 days in a small population of large motor neurons that represent 5% of the total motor neurons. Furthermore, p75NTR re-expression occurs in larger alpha motor neurons that express cleaved caspsase-3 and are destined to die.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Smith
- Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5001
| | - Robert A Rush
- Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5001
| | - Mary-Louise Rogers
- Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5001
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Günther R, Saal KA, Suhr M, Scheer D, Koch JC, Bähr M, Lingor P, Tönges L. The rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 improves motor performance in male SOD1(G93A) mice. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:304. [PMID: 25339858 PMCID: PMC4187656 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of motoneurons and their axons which results in a progressive muscle weakness and ultimately death from respiratory failure. The only approved drug, riluzole, lacks clinical efficacy so that more potent treatment options are needed. We have identified rho kinase (ROCK) as a target, which can be manipulated to beneficially influence disease progression in models of ALS. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in both an in vitro and in an in vivo paradigm of motoneuron disease. Application of Y-27632 to primary motoneurons in vitro increased survival and promoted neurite outgrowth. In vivo, SOD1G93A mice were orally treated with 2 or 30 mg/kg body weight of Y-27632. The 2 mg/kg group did not benefit from Y-27632 treatment, whereas treatment with 30 mg/kg resulted in improved motor function in male mice. Female mice showed only limited improvement and overall survival was not modified in both 2 and 30 mg/kg Y-27632 groups. In conclusion, we provide evidence that inhibition of ROCK by Y-27632 is neuroprotective in vitro but has limited beneficial effects in vivo being restricted to male mice. Therefore, the evaluation of ROCK inhibitors in preclinical models of ALS should always take gender differences into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kim-Ann Saal
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Suhr
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Scheer
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan Christoph Koch
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mathias Bähr
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany ; Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Cluster of Excellence 171-DFG Research Center 103 (CNMPB) Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paul Lingor
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany ; Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Cluster of Excellence 171-DFG Research Center 103 (CNMPB) Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lars Tönges
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen Göttingen, Germany ; Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Cluster of Excellence 171-DFG Research Center 103 (CNMPB) Göttingen, Germany
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Maximino JR, de Oliveira GP, Alves CJ, Chadi G. Deregulated expression of cytoskeleton related genes in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mouse model. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:148. [PMID: 24904291 PMCID: PMC4033281 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Early molecular events related to cytoskeleton are poorly described in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), especially in the Schwann cell (SC), which offers strong trophic support to motor neurons. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) tool identified cytoskeleton-related genes by employing the Cellular Component Ontology (CCO) in a large gene profiling of lumbar spinal cord and sciatic nerve of presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice. One and five CCO terms related to cytoskeleton were described from the spinal cord deregulated genes of 40 days (actin cytoskeleton) and 80 days (microtubule cytoskeleton, cytoskeleton part, actin cytoskeleton, neurofilament cytoskeleton, and cytoskeleton) old transgene mice, respectively. Also, four terms were depicted from the deregulated genes of sciatic nerve of 60 days old transgenes (actin cytoskeleton, cytoskeleton part, microtubule cytoskeleton and cytoskeleton). Kif1b was the unique deregulated gene in more than one studied region or presymptomatic age. The expression of Kif1b [quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)] elevated in the lumbar spinal cord (40 days old) and decreased in the sciatic nerve (60 days old) of presymptomatic ALS mice, results that were in line to microarray findings. Upregulation (24.8 fold) of Kif1b was seen in laser microdissected enriched immunolabeled motor neurons from the spinal cord of 40 days old presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice. Furthermore, Kif1b was dowregulated in the sciatic nerve Schwann cells of presymptomatic ALS mice (60 days old) that were enriched by means of cell microdissection (6.35 fold), cell sorting (3.53 fold), and primary culture (2.70 fold) technologies. The gene regulation of cytoskeleton molecules is an important occurrence in motor neurons and Schwann cells in presymptomatic stages of ALS and may be relevant in the dying back mechanisms of neuronal death. Furthermore, a differential regulation of Kif1b in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve cells emerged as key event in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Maximino
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela P de Oliveira
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chrystian J Alves
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerson Chadi
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
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de Oliveira GP, Alves CJ, Chadi G. Early gene expression changes in spinal cord from SOD1(G93A) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis animal model. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:216. [PMID: 24302897 PMCID: PMC3831149 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset and fast progression neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of motor neurons. Mechanisms of selective motor neuron loss in ALS are unknown. The early events occurring in the spinal cord that may contribute to motor neuron death are not described, neither astrocytes participation in the pre-symptomatic phases of the disease. In order to identify ALS early events, we performed a microarray analysis employing a whole mouse genome platform to evaluate the gene expression pattern of lumbar spinal cords of transgenic SOD1G93A mice and their littermate controls at pre-symptomatic ages of 40 and 80 days. Differentially expressed genes were identified by means of the Bioconductor packages Agi4×44Preprocess and limma. FunNet web based tool was used for analysis of over-represented pathways. Furthermore, immunolabeled astrocytes from 40 and 80 days old mice were submitted to laser microdissection and RNA was extracted for evaluation of a selected gene by qPCR. Statistical analysis has pointed to 492 differentially expressed genes (155 up and 337 down regulated) in 40 days and 1105 (433 up and 672 down) in 80 days old ALS mice. KEGG analysis demonstrated the over-represented pathways tight junction, antigen processing and presentation, oxidative phosphorylation, endocytosis, chemokine signaling pathway, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis and glutamatergic synapse at both pre-symptomatic ages. Ube2i gene expression was evaluated in astrocytes from both transgenic ages, being up regulated in 40 and 80 days astrocytes enriched samples. Our data points to important early molecular events occurring in pre-symptomatic phases of ALS in mouse model. Early SUMOylation process linked to astrocytes might account to non-autonomous cell toxicity in ALS. Further studies on the signaling pathways presented here may provide new insights to better understand the events triggering motor neuron death in this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P de Oliveira
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
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